The evaluation of heart rate biofeedback using a multi-element design

This experiment used the integration of a multi-element design with a second baseline to isolate the effect of biofeedback on the control of a target response, heart rate. The results of the experiment indicate that contingent visual heart rate feedback was instrumental in specifically facilitating the control of heart rate and that control was not mediated by the effects of changes in overall arousal level as measured by skin conductance. These results encourage the experimental analysis of biofeedback using single case designs. Further, the design presented herein offers a clinically and experimentally useful methodology for biofeedback research.